Transcript

Hello and welcome to Trend UK, your shortcut to popular culture from the British Council. In the next few minutes we’re going to be talking about mates and money. Moving away from home to go to university can be a stressful time. First, there are all the social pressures that can be encountered. And then there’s the strain on your pocket, what with living expenses, books and going out with your friends. And on top of all that, you’ve got to study as well. So, is there a way to be careful with your money and have a good and productive time? Our reporter Mark went to meet the students at a large UK university to find out.

Looking around the Student Union at this university, everyone seems to be having a good time but the reality is that students are often on a tight budget and going out with your friends for a meal or a drink is often something that has to be thought about quite carefully. I’ve assembled a group of typical students here who are going to tell us what it’s like to have so many social opportunities and yet be on a budget. And hopefully they can give us the tips for having the best and cheapest of times.

Transport I think. Yeah, food if you eat at home, it’s very cheap. The train. In a week was spending more than one hundred pounds.

And how do you afford clothing? I mean ‘trendy’ isn’t cheap.

I’m from China, and actually in my place there’s also nice clothes there, so I normally bring my clothes here! He he-he.

So you don’t shop here? You shop at home.

Yeah all that from home. Except jackets, I love jackets so I make sure if there’s any sale going around, especially Boxing Day I go and loot the shopping centre and buy all the stuff and get cheap prices.

And what’s the social side like?

I love it because has so many cultures, I was so shocked actually it took me quite some time. Because it’s Chinese, Japanese, African people. I like that, to me it’s very interesting.

I like to go for movies with my friends once a month like that, and also for dinner.

I’m a very social person, I love socialising with people and meeting new people and I love partying. Thankfully I don’t drink and I don’t smoke so only expenses like, you know, maybe entry fee to the disco clubs and something like that.

And do you have any money-saving tips for other people who might want to come and work or study here in the UK?

You just have to watch anything you buy, just don’t impulse buy things.

If you rent a house, with your friends then it will be cheaper.

I teach a lot, I teach piano and the violin, so that covers a little bit of what I want to spend on clothes and stuff and extras yeah.

I bought DVD player can watch all the movies at home ha-ha! So I can entertain myself at home. Cheaper ha-ha.

Don’t drink too much ha-ha.

Well, plenty of good advice here from the students. Thanks to all of you for coming along.

Our reporter Mark with the students there. And that’s it for this time.

Please remember that the opinions expressed in Trend UK are those of the individuals concerned, and not necessarily the views of the British Council. Don’t forget, you can find out about studying in the UK by checking our website www.britishcouncil.org, that’s www.britishcouncil [all one word] .org. Just follow the links under ‘Learning’. And while you’re on the website you can also update your English by checking out the words and phrases in the Trend UK online glossary. And tell us what you think by sending us a comment or voting in the online poll. But for now, from me and all the Trend UK Team, bye bye.

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Comments

There is no doubt that saving money is very important in our life . I know it is difficult to save your money but should save it . there are a lot of ways to save your money . for example you can watch films at home instead of going to cinema . also you can make your own food in your house instead of eating from restaurants . on the other hand some people call to a cleaning company to clean their house or their flat , those people spend their money in thing they can do it ( they waste their money ) . whereas other people clean their house or their flat by themselves ( they save money ) .

And in my opinion I think people should not waste their money and they should not save a lot of money . They should be in the middle between wasting and saving .

No, I haven't because the university I studied at is fortunately in my hometown and I didn't move out from my parents. So, I didn't have to worry about any accommodation or food. And also study materials weren't so expensive. But most of my money was spent for getting to and from university or transportation in another word. By transportation, I mean university-bus. (Yes, I know, it's kind of funny to take that kind of bus with that age, but what can I do? It was the only option we had at that time.) My social life was also not so interesting. I spent most of my free time by watching movies or reading books.
I can't give any tip for earning extra money because I didn't have any sideline beside my student work. But I think the best way to save your money is not to go to places where you have to pay. You can take a picnic with your friends in a park in the nice weather. If the weather is bad, then have a nice dinner with your roommates at your place.

Your situation are perfect! But I think you should go out, because the outside life have the difficult, you will learn ways to existing. It is challenge of you. The study can also earn money by the scholarship. Happy holiday and new year.

Yep, I had the similar problem and my way for solving this problem was to get job. Of course I should choose only that one that could be combined with studying at university. But this is possible. This way left me much less time for leisure activity but gave more opportunities.

The best approach in my opinion is to forget about norms of a standard everyday life & focus on what matters, what would be decisive in your future. The thing is you've gotten involved in this situation of your own free will since you're considering your life in the long term. As a matter of fact no pain no gain. For the time being it might be a good encouragement just think what it would be like if you did not have the ability to move away for studying in the first place (like many enthusiastic people longing to study in developed countries who have been prevented to by rules & regulations of their desired distinctions). So stop nagging and mind how to get most out of all these difficulties you are going through.